The best places to celebrate Christmas in Ireland

The Merrion Hotel, Dublin. There are few countries that celebrate a cozier, put-your-feet-up Christmas than Ireland.
Photo by: MerrionHotel.com

There are few countries that celebrate a cozier, put-your-feet-up Christmas than Ireland.

With its family-oriented culture and the legendary friendliness of its people, spending the holidays in Ireland is one of the most rewarding decisions you could ever make.

The Irish love big and boisterous reunions and they love festivities on every scale, but they also love quiet evenings in with a few hand-picked friends in front of a crackling fire.

Visit Ireland in winter to see the soaring landscape celebrated by poets as varied as W.B. Yeats, Patrick Kavanagh and Seamus Heaney (you may want to take a volume of each writer’s work along for added atmosphere).

Here are IrishCentral’s top ten places to celebrate Christmas in Ireland.

Dromoland Castle

First built in the 15 century, Dromoland castle in its present form was completed in 1835, although the site itself has been associated with Gaelic nobility since the 5th century.

Of course, being an Irish castle, it has often been bitterly fought over, too: Queen Elizabeth I’s armed forces confiscated it at one point, but since they spent most of her long reign purloining Irish property, this was by no means unusual.

Nowadays the castle is a spectacular five-star hotel on rolling acres that is the ideal place to spend the Christmas holidays. Featuring a level of comfort and elegance that will delight you, Dromoland is the kind of venue even US presidents marvel at (G.W. Bush was a guest here in 2004). Ask them about their special winter breaks and remember to find out about their legendary golf course.

Ballydavid, County Kerry

Ballydavid, County Kerry, is a sleepy little Irish village nestling on the very edge of the Atlantic Ocean. However, every St. Stephen’s Day (December 26) the village comes alive to host the Wren Boys in a colorful and very ancient celebration in remembrance of a festival that was celebrated by the druids (the Irish shaman or pagan high priests).

Wren boys, also called mummers, dress up in masks, straw suits and colorful motley clothing and, accompanied by traditional ceili music bands, take to the street in a blaze of color continuing a unique and unbroken folk tradition. The Ballydavid Wren is a memorable day of marching, music and dance, featuring an explosion of color and Irish exuberance that’s cheering and irresistible in the midst of winter’s gloom.

What better way to blow away the winter blahs than with a flutter on the nags?

The Christmas festivals at Leopardstown and Limerick are up there among the highlights of the Irish sporting and social calendars. Anyone who is anyone among the Dublin social cognoscenti goes to Leapordstown on St. Stephen’s Day, those who spend Christmas west of the Shannon or south of the Silvermine Mountains go to Limerick, as much to shake hands and have a hot port with old friends home for Christmas, the annual get-together, as to have a bet. And the racing isn’t bad either.

Christmas hill walking

Bundle up and get out to see the majestic Irish landscape in its winter repose. Get away from the high streets and the commercial madness and take time to get acquainted with your own heartbeat.

With it being Christmas time most hill walking trips have a festive theme including mulled wine and mince pies to help you on your way. For more details click here www.walkinginireland.org.

Christmas pantomime

The pantomime is an distinctly Irish and English comic theater style where a well known fairy tale can turn into the most pointed attacks on the government and society figures of the day.

Ostensibly for children, these shows come larded with sentimental songs and vicious political satire that will keep adults chuckling too.

In Dublin the Gaiety and the Olympia theater’s are the two celebrated venues for this kind of seasonal theatrical fun. If you want to celebrate Christmas the way the Irish themselves do be sure to book your tickets.

Funderland at the RDS

From December 26 Funderland at the RDS is the world’s largest traveling amusements show. Go along and you’ll discover that all Dublin stops by although the place itself never feels too crowded.

Featuring five rollercoasters, two giant Ferris wheels, and all manner of thrilling attractions this show is an annual hit with kids and all kids at heart.An authentic Irish country house

What could be better than Christmas spent in a country house in Ireland? With roaring fires, afternoon teas, hot chocolate and lively guests to meet? The worldwide recession means that this is the best opportunity you’ll ever have to live your dream and take that winter break you’ve always dreamed of. Start by exploring one of Ireland’s best tourist guides and soon you’ll have your feet up in resplendent surrounds – in a country where a white Christmas is always a distinct possibility.